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Dariel's World

Hi. I'm Dariel Raye, an interracial/multi-cultural paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and psy/suspense author, and every day of this journey is a learning experience. I'm also a counselor, musician, and animal lover. My stories are about all-conquering love and romance, and I enjoy hosting other authors as well. Enter a world where werewolves, vampires, multi-shifters, vamp-like Nephilim, Vodouin Fey, and all things paranormal capture our hearts...

Friday, April 5, 2013

Dariel's Fridays with Friends Spotlight: Mickie Sherwood

Today's spotlight is on fellow Red Rose Publishing (RRP) author Mickie Sherwood. Among her sweet and spicy multicultural novels are a number of RRP bestsellers! Get to know a little about her in the interview below, and take a look at her great books :-)

1.When did you know
you wanted to be a writer? I had no idea I wanted to
be a writer although I would critique each book after I finished it. Not to
tear the book down, mind you. I always had a different idea about some scenes.
Then, one day I read The Color of Love
by Sandra Kitt. It was so close to the perfect love story that I lost myself in
it at that time. Well worth every minute of every time I've read it. What
were some of your first steps toward making your dream a reality? I spent a lot of time researching, at the brick and mortar
library, back then. I read. I wrote. I submitted. And I was rejected. So, I
took a breather from submitting, but never stopped writing.

2.What 3 things
would you like readers to know about you? Three things
I'd like readers to know about me. Hmmm. I think I cover that in my simple bio.

Bio:

I'm a cruise-loving,
people-watching, picture-snapping baby boomer with time on her hands. So, I
write sweet and spicy relationship-based mainstream contemporary romantic love
stories for you to enjoy.

3.Tell us about
your books. Genre, titles, any favorite characters? What can we look forward to
from you in the near future? WIP’s, upcoming releases

I
call my novels relationship-based love stories. They are all mainstream
contemporary with a sensual heat level. So far, I write in two different
sub-genres. I write African-American and Interracial romances.

I'll
list them for you starting with the most current first. I call my heroines
Louisiana Ladies on Parade.

Like Slow Sweet Molasses (2013) IR - RRP Bestseller

Teacher
Angela Munso has lost control—of her spiraling life. She can control the
fallout of recent news from whose loins she sprang as easily as she can her
heart’s pitter-patter for arrogant Lt. Brock Alexander, whom she now wants to hate. Will love intervene
and school their arrested hearts?

Widow Veronica Torres needs something
desperately—invisibility. A rash decision puts her on the road and right into
the path of trucker Mike Masterson. Will he be just another speed bump in her life? Or
will Mike's compassionate ways make all of Veronica's troubles disappear?

That
question plagues feisty divorcée Sharlene Mouton. A lost job. An oil spill
ecological disaster threatening her rural Louisiana community. What else can
happen? How about repeated run-ins with suave Drake Cormier, the oil company’s
liaison officer, and someone barely older than her daughters.

Nicked Hearts (2011) IR - RRP Bestseller

A Hawaiian escape is just
what runaway K.C. Montreaux needs to mend her broken heart. Not the lies and
deceit of her self-appointed rescuer. But—that’s not all Dr. Nick Hart supplies
her.

Louisiana Hot Sauce (2010) IR - RRP Bestseller

Reclusive Mesha Rayburn’s horrible secret
keeps her shattered heart under lock and key. Can helicopter mechanic Jack
Connolly break in to make the necessary repairs?

As
far as favorite characters, I love all of my creations. Each one has a
different personality from the ones in the previous novel. I must admit,
though, to having a special connection with Mesha. She's the heroine in my
first love story, Louisiana Hot Sauce.

My
WIP list is growing. However, I write everyday on one particular story that's
still in its infancy. So, you'll have to hold on awhile longer before I release
the storyline. I can tell you it's not your typical lovers-reunited story.

4.Is there a common
thread in your books? Yes. There's always a common
thread in my books. That thread is l-o-v-e. How do your values show up
in your writing? I don't know if it's my values,
exactly. I sometimes wonder if it's the baby boomer in me coming out.I'd like for anyone who has read my novels to comment on
that question. What do you want readers to take from your writing? That love is huge and not always packaged the same for
everyone.

5.What do you look
for in a good book? I definitely look for the
relationship between the main characters to be believable, intriguing and
sometimes contentious.

6.What are some of
the best social media, marketing, and publicity tips you’ve come across? I read an article where an author would visit bookstores and
place a bookmark from one of his
books in books on the shelves.Sounds daring to
me. Readers and authors, I'd like to know what you think about that.

7.What are some
things you know now about writing and being an author that you wish someone had
told you at the very beginning? I had never heard of
head-hopping. Now that I finally have an understanding, I know that I'm a fan
of it. Head-hopping is the same to me as watching a movie in my head. That's
the way my characters interact with me. Although I have made a conscious effort
to control how I put those movie scenes into play in my novels, I still like to
see how my main characters react to the same situation, at the same time.

Readers, what are your views on occasional
head-hopping when reading a novel?

8.Along that same
line, what are some of your favorite resources?

I
love it when authors support one another. My favorite resources are groups
where authors share their vast collective knowledge. I'm a questioner because I was taught "if you don't know
something...ask." I try not to bombard them. But, if I need to know
something, I need an answer.

9.What lifts your
spirits when you’re discouraged?

Music.
I love all types. Definitely something with lots of bass and drums. Something
that works my sub-woofer. That's also great for getting me up off the couch.
(Couch? Old people term. LOL)

10.What tips can you
offer towards building and maintaining a strong support system as a writer?

Sometimes
support can come from outside of your family and circle of friends. Show
yourself genuinely supportive of others' endeavors. You could be cultivating a
bond that enriches your writing efforts.

Like Slow
Sweet Molasses

Blurb:

Teacher Angela Munso has
lost control—of her spiraling life. She can control the fallout of recent news
from whose loins she sprang as easily as she can her heart’s pitter-patter. To
have feelings for a man who is everything she now wants to hate? That’s the last straw!

Lt. Brock "Chance"
Alexander’s arrogance baits Angela. And—he knows it. It’s never so obvious to
him as when she lobs that insulting phrase at the side of his head. She pushes
all of his hot buttons. But, there’s one he dares her to touch—the one that
pushes him out of her life.

Excerpt:

"Are you coming in
for a few minutes?" Angela asked Chance once they arrived at her door.

"That’s not the
way I see it, Angela." Chance cut the motor but stayed on the bike.
"We’re both afraid of circumstances beyond our control. I’m more than
certain I want you, exclusively, in my life. I’m just not certain you feel the
same about me…and my profession."

"I’ve confessed to
having a humongous crush on you, Chance. An infatuation that supersedes all the
anguish I’ve experienced in my lifetime. What would I do if you’re mortally
wounded?" Her eyes closed at the thought and opened to him closing in for
a kiss.

Chance relished the
closeness as she melted in his arms accepting his affection. The kiss would
have to last him several days for his next mission, assigned to him months
before meeting her, would take him away from her and out of the state. He held
on imprinting the feeling into his heart, rebelling at the thought of releasing
her. "I’m going to walk away, now. I won’t be responsible for what might
happen next in this relationship if I enter behind those doors."

"I can tell,"
she quietly admitted, her own passion rising. "Can I say something and you
won’t think I’m easy?"

"I would never
think that about you, Angela."

"I’m glad you
refused my offer to come inside. Lately, my will isn’t my own when I’m so close
to you."

He hoped she felt that
way if she learned of his omission to inform her of his call to duty. If
everything went according to schedule, she’d be none the wiser.

"Then, there is
hope for us." He drew from her well of sweetness once more, mounted his
bike and left the words, "I’ll call you," in the wind as he drove
away.

8 comments:

*waves to Mickie* I'm not a fan of head-hopping when it's done randomly and within a scene. I like seeing the story from different points of view, however. I just want to be able to immerse myself in the character and become her (or him) for a period of time so I can experience the emotional and dramatic impact of their situation. Probably the worst writer ever for doing this is Tom Clancy. In The Sum of All Our Fears he shows 5 different POVs in one paragraph. Yes, five. So why is he so rich from his writing if he does this? Because readers will forgive you any mistake if you tell them a riveting story and make up for your mistake in other ways. So if head-hopping floats your boat as an author, but you can still tell an incredible story and capture readers' attention -- go for it.

Hey, Kayelle. Good point. That's one of the things about rules - there are always exceptions. Once you figure out what's most important to people and you're talented enough to give them that, the petty rules are not nearly as important. In fact, most of the greats in every field, particularly the arts, step outside the rules (the norm).

Hi, Dariel and Kayelle,*waves back* I appreciate the input on headhopping. It's something that I'm conscious about when writing since my introduction. But I still see my characters' actions as movies in my head. Hmmm. LOL

Have you ever had one of those days where every errand you had to run needed running on the same day at just about the same time? Well, no excuses. Simply why I wasn't here at the crack of dawn. Then, I get home to Pooh Pooh (http://www.mickiesherwood.com Pooh Pooh's pic and his story.) swiping my leg like he is a cat to tell me take him out.

Now for the big finish, I open the door to let him out and close the door—on my pointer finger. Yea, I did. Ow! It's still throbbing as I type.

Thanks to Dariel for sharing her visitors with me. I'm Mickie Sherwood. I create sweet, spicy mainstream relation-based love stories. I hope you enjoy my interview and participate by answering the questions posed.

Mickie, I'm like you. I love all of my characters. Some have a special place in my heart, but they're all my kids in a way. I always knew I wanted to write, and like you, I used to critique books, looking at how it was done.

Critiquing other books -- especially the published ones, taking them apart to see how the author made you see, or feel, or hear, or experience -- that is what makes for good writing of your own. The thing with headhopping to remember is that the only problem with it is when you can't tell who you are. Clear transitions are important. No, they're vital. If you immediately know who you are supposed to be, then you're good. It's that vague... who the heck am I now? feeling that is unsettling.